The race for the IPL 2026 Purple Cap is heating up, and after Gujarat Titans' emphatic 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, the leaderboard has seen some major shifts. Kagiso Rabada continues to hold the top spot with 18 wickets from 11 matches, but it was his teammate Rashid Khan who stole the show with a sensational spell of 4/33, propelling him into the top six.
Rabada, the South African speedster, has been Gujarat's go-to strike bowler all season. He added two more scalps to his tally as Rajasthan were bowled out for 152 in just 16.3 overs while chasing a daunting 230. His ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs has kept him ahead of the pack, but the competition is far from over.
Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan leg-spinner, was the biggest mover of the match. His variations and control dismantled the Royals' middle order, helping Gujarat tighten their grip after a flying start with the bat. With 15 wickets from 11 matches, Rashid is now level with Rajasthan's Jofra Archer and sits sixth in the standings.
Right behind Rabada are two bowlers tied on 17 wickets each. Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the second spot, while Chennai Super Kings' Anshul Kamboj is third due to a slightly inferior economy rate. Lucknow Super Giants' Prince Yadav is close behind with 16 wickets from 10 games, and Sunrisers Hyderabad's Eshan Malinga rounds out the top five with 16 wickets, though his economy rate of 9.44 remains a concern.
The foundation for Gujarat's commanding win was laid by skipper Shubman Gill, who smashed a sparkling 84, and Sai Sudharsan, who contributed a fluent 55. Washington Sundar then provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 37 off just 20 balls, powering GT to 229/4. For Rajasthan, Ravindra Jadeja top-scored with 38, while young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 36, but it wasn't enough to mount a serious challenge.
With the league stage entering its decisive phase, the Purple Cap race is wide open. Every wicket now counts, and bowlers like Rashid and Archer are closing in on Rabada's lead. Whether you're backing the pace of Rabada or the spin of Rashid, one thing is certain—this season's battle for the top wicket-taker is one for the ages.